What is the structure of the skin?

There are three main layers of skin with each serving a slightly different purpose.

The Anatomy of Aging Skin

At the top lies the epidermis, which contains your melanocytes or skin pigment producing cells. Next comes the dermis, containing fibroblasts for collagen and elastin production. Collagen and elastin are two critical proteins for skin structure. Collagen provides the latticework on which the body builds its tissues. Elastin gives the skin its elastic, snap back abilities. Finally, the hypodermis contains connective tissue and fat tissue. Skin cells are constantly being lost and replicated-the average person loses hundreds of thousands of skin cells an hour.

Fine Lines & Wrinkles

Fine lines and wrinkles occur as skin collagen and elastin break down over time from aging, daily wear and tear from pulling on the facial structure by facial muscles, sun exposure, environmental factors, and skin damage. Fine lines appear first, usually around areas of high use like the mouth and eyes. With time these fine lines evolve into deeper creases called wrinkles.

Crepey Skin

This type of skin appearance is correlated to loss of elastin fiber integrity. Basically, when elastin stops functioning properly the elastic snap back property of our skin is lost, thus the pastry look. Thin, wrinkly skin primarily affects older individuals, however, genetic predispositions, sun exposure/sun damage, dry skin, poor sleep or diet, and significant weight changes can cause crepey skin appearance in people of any age.

What causes the fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin to appear?

Fine Lines & wrinkles appear as the ageing process takes it’s toll. Our skin looses it’s elasticity… Fine Lines & wrinkles appear and can deepen over time as the skin looses its strength and firmness.  Elasticity is lost due to loss of collagen, which helps to keep our skin plump and firm. As a result, our skin becomes saggy, dull and wrinkles start to appear. Environmental factors along with lifestyle choices can further influence how we age.

As with anything in life, when the foundation starts to go so too does the overlying structure. Fine lines and wrinkles will happen to everyone as they age. Crepey skin will as well, however, crepey skin is more likely to occur in younger individuals with certain risk factors. Skin damage, sun exposure, weight changes, stress, poor sleep and diet, and certain medications and medical conditions can contribute to the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin.

What are the most common types of fine lines and wrinkles?

Bunny Lines

These are the wrinkles that appear triangularly and horizontally at the corner of each eye and spread down the nose when you scrunch your nose.

Crow’s Feet

These are the lines that form on the outside corners of the eyes and spread towards the temples.

Glabellar Lines (a.k.a. Frown Lines)

 Often called the 11’s of angry lines are  vertical creases between your eyes.

Forehead Lines

 These are the large horizontal creases running across the forehead between the temples.

Lip Lines (a.k.a. Smoker’s Lines or Lipstick Lines)

You don’t have to have been a smoker or worn lipstick to develop the vertical lines running across the lips.

Marionette Lines

The vertical lines that run from the corners of the mouth to the chin.

Nasolabial Folds (a.k.a. Laugh Lines)

These are the parenthetical lines running from the base of the nose to the corners of the mouth.

Who may wish to seek treatment for fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin?

Whether we realize it or not, most of us estimate each other’s age by observing the appearance of our faces. One of the first places to show signs of aging is the face which is basically a visual history of our time on earth. If you are looking to correct signs of premature, or just normal aging, a treatment to smooth and lessen fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin is a good (and more effective) choice than anything you can get over the counter.

How can someone treat fine lines and wrinkles?

Our extensive range of treatments for fine lines & wrinkles include:

Injectables
Dermal Fillers
Skin Boosters
Neogen Plasma Treamtents
CO2 Laser Resurfacing
Radio Frequency
Thread Lifting
Non Surgical Faclift
Skin Needling
Facials
Healite
Skin Care Products

Contact us to find to discuss our treatments and book a consultation